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A select group of Hawai‘i’s finest furniture makers were invited to design and build one unique piece of functional furniture each, based on direct inspiration from a Hawaiian source. Sources include pre- or post-contact Hawaiian artifacts, antiques, decorative arts, furniture and architectural design. This unparalleled collection showcases exceptional craftsmanship and trade excellence in carving, turning and inlay techniques.

Maui artists exhibiting their work are Tom Calhoun, Shaun Fleming, Mats Fogelvik, Steve Hynson, Robert Lippoth, Peter Naramore, Curtis Paddock, Ricardo Vasquez and John Wittenburg. Hawai‘i Island artists include Marcus Castaing, Tai Lake, Dave Reisland, Jay Warner and Mike Reilly. Joel Bright, Robert Butts, McD Philpotts and Alan Wilkinson represent O‘ahu.

The variety of exotic hardwoods and traditional materials used by these artists are captivating when seen in their final forms—curly koa, zebrawood, rosewood, mango, ‘ohi‘a, toon, milo, coconut palm, pheasantwood, wenge and bamboo. Their inspirations range in timelines from the ancient voyaging days to the plantation era in Hawai‘i.

“My time living on a cruising sailboat for 25 years has forever forged a bond with all other people who feel the lure of the sea,” said Ricardo Vasquez. “The crab claw shape of the Hawaiian voyaging canoes is reflected here in a functional piece of furniture,” he said about Holomoku, his built-in shelf furniture piece. “The compound curves of the sail door, the sweep of the side and top pieces as well as the shape of the base all reflect those found on the canoes.”

Mats Fogelvik found inspiration for his sofa table, Wailuaiki, from a concrete arch bridge over Wailuaiki Stream on Hāna Highway. “The columns holding my ‘bridge’ represent the mountainsides—monolithic forms veneered with pummeled imbuia burl. Between are the arches, laminated and veneered with olive ash burl. The underpinning holding up the ‘roadway’ is made of rosewood and satinwood.” Mats even created a double yellow line on the curly koa top.

Admission to the gallery is free; look for signs around the construction fence.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and before Castle Theater shows. In December, “Furniture Fridays” special public events will be held in the gallery from 2 to 7 p.m., when furniture makers will demonstrate their skills and talk about their work. Visit mauiarts.org.

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